What happens in atherosclerosis?

Artery blockage: The process affects arteries causing a buildup of plaque which can narrow the artery. If the plaque ruptures the artery can suddenly get occluded. If an artery is narrowed or occluded, symptoms would occur. The symptoms would depend on what part of the body is supplied by that artery. Chest pain if heart, stroke or TIA if brain, pain in area if arm or leg for istance.

Progression, Closure: White blood cells, mostly macrophages, invade the walls of the arteries to remove low density lipoprotein (fat carrying protein) particles. Macrophages die if overwhelmed with LDL & cannot export their ingested fat into high density lipoprotein particles. The artery wall thickens & enlarges; no symptoms decades. Plaque rupture induces sudden clots, debris downstream, sudden narrowing & closure.